Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
VEHICLE RACK
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to and is a continuation-in-
part of U.S. Pat. App.
Ser. No. 16/229,636, filed December 21, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.
Pat. App. Ser. No.
15/454,943, filed March 9, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,160,371, issued December
25, 2018, which
is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. App. Ser. No. 14/282,748, filed May 20,
2014. The entire
contents of the above-mentioned applications are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Personal recreational vehicles such as jet skis, snowmobiles, all-
terrain vehicles ATVs,
and the like, are enjoyed by many outdoor enthusiasts. Personal recreational
vehicles may be
transported from a storage location to a point of use. For example, personal
watercraft (PWC)
may be transported to a body of water prior to use. Traditional methods of
hauling personal
recreational vehicles include the use of trailers and vehicles with cargo
areas such as truck beds.
Hauling personal recreational vehicles may limit outdoor enthusiasts to using
a vehicle to pull a
trailer holding these items. Based on the remoteness of some recreational
vehicle activities, many
outdoor enthusiasts often enjoy camping in addition to using personal
recreational vehicles.
Transporting a recreational vehicle on either a trailer or in a truck cargo
area may prevent outdoor
enthusiasts from also towing a travel trailer or camper.
[0003] The present application appreciates that convenient transportation
of personal
recreational vehicles may be a challenging endeavor.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one embodiment, a rack and davit system may include a vehicle
rack for conveying
a personal vehicle. The vehicle rack may include an outer frame that may be
operable to mount to
a bed side rail of a vehicle, and the outer frame may include two longitudinal
outer frame parallel
-1-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
,
members that may be joined by at least one outer frame cross member. The
vehicle rack may
include at least one inner frame that may be operatively connected to the at
least one outer frame
cross member, and the at least one inner frame may include two longitudinal
inner frame parallel
members that may be joined by at least one inner frame cross member. The
vehicle rack may
include two telescoping members, and each telescoping member may be
operatively connected to
a longitudinal inner frame parallel member. The two telescoping members may be
operable to
extend from and retract to the two longitudinal inner frame parallel members,
such that when
extended, the two telescoping members form a substantially parallel rail
operable to convey an
item for storage on the inner frame. The vehicle rack may include at least two
telescoping member
guides that may be each operatively connected to each of the two longitudinal
inner frame parallel
members, and the at least two telescoping member guides may be operable to
guide and retain
each of the two telescoping members. The at least two telescoping member
guides may be further
operable to adjust an angle of each of the two telescoping members. The
vehicle rack may be
mountable to the bed side rail of the vehicle such that the vehicle rack is
clear of a tailgate and a
bed of the vehicle effective to permit one or more of: use of the tailgate and
the bed of the vehicle
while the vehicle rack is mounted; and use of a trailer attached to the
vehicle without interference
from the personal recreational vehicle loaded on the vehicle rack. Each of the
two telescoping
members may be selectively removable from the at least one inner frame, and
each of the two
telescoping members may further include a distal end portion and a proximal
end portion, the distal
end portion operable to telescope away from the at least one inner frame and
the proximal end
portion operable to remain operatively connected to the at least one inner
frame. The distal end
portion may be connected to a dolly via a hinge or a selective mount, the
dolly comprises a support
comprising one or more wheels, one or more legs, or both, wherein the hinge or
the selective mount
-2-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
may be configured to adjust the dolly between a support-up orientation and a
support-down
orientation. The rack and davit system may include a davit removably coupled
to the vehicle rack.
The davit may include a first arm removably coupled to the outer frame of the
vehicle rack and a
second arm pivotally coupled to the first arm via a pivot assembly. The davit
may include a first
pulley coupled to the pivot assembly and a second pulley coupled to a distal
end of the second arm
away from the pivot assembly. The davit may also include a winch having a
winch line extending
from the winch to the first pulley to the second pulley.
[0005]
In another embodiment, a vehicle rack and davit system may include a vehicle
rack.
The vehicle rack may include an outer frame operable to mount to a bed side
rail of a vehicle, and
the outer frame may include two longitudinal outer frame parallel members that
may be joined by
at least one outer frame cross member. The vehicle rack may include at least
one inner frame that
may be operatively connected to the at least one outer frame cross member by
at least one
adjustable inner frame standoff, and the at least one inner frame may include
two longitudinal
inner frame parallel members that may be joined by at least one inner frame
cross member. The
vehicle rack may include two telescoping members, and each telescoping member
may be
operatively connected to a longitudinal inner frame parallel member. The two
telescoping
members may be operable to extend from and retract to the two longitudinal
inner frame parallel
members, such that when extended, the two telescoping members form a
substantially parallel rail
operable to convey an item for storage on the inner frame. Each of the two
telescoping members
may further include a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, the
distal end portions may
be operable to telescope away from the at least one of the two longitudinal
inner frame parallel
members and the proximal end portion may be operable to remain operatively
connected to the at
least one of the two longitudinal inner frame parallel members. The distal end
portion may be
-3-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
connected to a dolly via a hinge or a selective mount, and the dolly may
include a support
comprising one or more wheels, one or more legs, or both. The hinge or the
selective mount may
be configured to adjust the dolly between a support-up orientation and a
support-down orientation.
The vehicle rack may include at least two telescoping member guides that may
be each operatively
connected to each of the two longitudinal inner frame parallel members. The at
least two
telescoping member guides may be operable to guide and retain each of the two
telescoping
members, and the at least two telescoping member guides may be further
operable to adjust an
angle of each of the two telescoping members. The vehicle rack may be
mountable to the bed side
rail of the vehicle such that the vehicle rack is clear of a tailgate and a
bed of the vehicle effective
to permit one or more of: use of the tailgate and the bed of the vehicle while
the vehicle rack is
mounted; and use of a trailer attached to the vehicle without interference
from a personal
recreational vehicle loaded on the vehicle rack. A portion of the vehicle rack
other than the two
longitudinal outer frame parallel members may be selectively removable from
the two longitudinal
outer frame parallel members according to disconnection of one or more of: at
least one removable
vertical member coupled to one or more sockets that together operatively
couple the at least one
outer frame cross member to the two longitudinal outer frame parallel members,
the at least one
removable vertical member being coupled to one or more sockets via quick-
connect hardware; one
or more removable standoffs that operatively couple the at least one outer
frame cross member to
the longitudinal inner frame parallel members, the one or more removable
standoffs being
operatively coupled to the at least one outer frame cross member and/or the
longitudinal inner
frame parallel members via quick-connect hardware; and a bolted connection
between one outer
frame cross member and the longitudinal inner frame parallel members. The
vehicle rack and
davit system may include a davit removably coupled to the vehicle rack. The
davit may include a
-4-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
first arm removably coupled to the outer frame of the vehicle rack and a
second arm pivotally
coupled to the first arm via a pivot assembly. The davit may include a first
pulley coupled to the
pivot assembly and a second pulley coupled to a distal end of the second arm
away from the pivot
assembly. The davit may also include a winch having a winch line extending
from the winch to
the first pulley to the second pulley.
100061
In another embodiment, a method for using a davit system coupled to a vehicle
rack
may include the vehicle rack that may include an outer frame. The outer frame
may be operable
to mount to a bed side rail of a vehicle, the outer frame may include two
longitudinal outer frame
parallel members that may be joined by at least one outer frame cross member.
The vehicle rack
may include at least one inner frame that may be operatively connected to the
at least one outer
frame cross member, and the at least one inner frame may include two
longitudinal inner frame
parallel members that may be joined by at least one inner frame cross member.
The vehicle rack
may include two telescoping members, each telescoping member may be
operatively connected to
a longitudinal inner frame parallel member. The two telescoping members may be
operable to
extend from and retract to the two longitudinal inner frame parallel members,
such that when
extended, the two telescoping members form a substantially parallel rail
operable to convey an
item for storage on the inner frame. The vehicle rack may include at least two
telescoping member
guides that may be each operatively connected to each of the two longitudinal
inner frame parallel
members, and the at least two telescoping member guides may be operable to
guide and retain
each of the two telescoping members. The at least two telescoping member
guides may be further
operable to adjust an angle of each of the two telescoping members. The
vehicle rack may be
mountable to the bed side rail of the vehicle such that the vehicle rack is
clear of a tailgate and a
bed of the vehicle effective to permit one or more of: use of the tailgate and
the bed of the vehicle
-5-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
while the vehicle rack is mounted; and use of a trailer attached to the
vehicle without interference
from the personal recreational vehicle loaded on the vehicle rack. Each of the
two telescoping
members may be selectively removable from the at least one inner frame, and
each of the two
telescoping members may further include a distal end portion and a proximal
end portion. The
distal end portion may be operable to telescope away from the at least one
inner frame and the
proximal end portion may be operable to remain operatively connected to the at
least one inner
frame. The vehicle rack may be configured to permit one or more of: the distal
end portions are
operatively connected by a wheeled dolly, wherein a height and angle of the
wheeled dolly is
adjustable, and the two telescoping members, together with the wheeled dolly,
are selectively
mountable to the at least one inner frame to place the wheeled dolly in a
wheels-down orientation
or a wheels-up orientation; and the at least one outer frame cross member
adjustable in three
dimensional space relative to the two longitudinal outer frame parallel
members to vary at least
one of a length, a height, and a depth of the at least one outer frame cross
member relative to the
two longitudinal outer frame parallel members. A portion of the at least one
inner frame may
include a mount for a tensioning device that may include a winch. The method
may include
mounting a davit to the outer frame of the vehicle rack.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a
part of the
specification, illustrate various example systems and methods, and are used
merely to illustrate
various example embodiments.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example vehicle rack.
[0009] FIG. lA illustrates certain portions of an example vehicle rack in
greater detail.
[0010] FIG. 1B illustrates certain portions of an example vehicle rack in
greater detail.
-6-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
[0011] FIG. 1C illustrates certain portions of an example vehicle rack in
greater detail,
including top/plan and side elevational views of two telescoping members
guides disposed on each
longitudinal inner frame parallel member.
[0012] FIG. 1D illustrates certain portions of an example vehicle rack in
greater detail,
including top/plan and side elevational views of two telescoping members
guides, including a
telescoping guide that may swivel.
[0013] FIG. 1E is a perspective view of an example vehicle rack with two
inner frames.
[0014] FIG. 1F is a perspective view of an outer frame of an exemplary
vehicle rack without
inner frames, in order to further illustrate aspects of the outer frame and
components thereof shown
in FIG. 1E.
[0015] FIG. 1G is a side view of an outer frame of an exemplary vehicle
rack without inner
frames, in order to further illustrate aspects of the outer frame and
components thereof shown in
FIG. 1E.
[0016] FIG. 1H is an expanded view of the side view of an outer frame of an
exemplary
vehicle rack without inner frames, in order to further illustrate aspects of
the outer frame and
components thereof shown in FIG. 1G.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example vehicle rack mounted to a
vehicle.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example vehicle rack mounted to a
vehicle.
[0019] FIG. 3A illustrates certain portions of an example vehicle rack in
greater detail.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example vehicle rack with
personal recreational
vehicles mounted to a vehicle.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a side view of an example vehicle rack with a tensioning
device.
-7-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example vehicle rack with vehicle
platforms
mounted to a vehicle.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an example method for using a vehicle
rack.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example vehicle rack and davit
system mounted to
a vehicle.
[0025] FIG. 9 illustrates certain portions of an example vehicle rack and
davit system in
greater detail.
[0026] FIG. 10 illustrates certain portions of an example vehicle rack and
davit system in
greater detail.
[0027] FIG. 11 illustrates certain portions of an example vehicle rack and
davit system in
greater detail.
[0028] FIG. 12 illustrates certain portions of an example vehicle rack and
davit system in
greater detail.
[0029] FIG. 13 illustrates removing a winch from an example vehicle rack
and coupling the
winch to a davit.
[0030] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an example moving dolly carrying a
personal vehicle.
[0031] FIG. 15 is a top view of an example of the moving dolly of FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of vehicle rack 100, while
FIGS. 1A and 1B show
certain portions of vehicle rack 100 in greater detail. Vehicle rack 100 may
be mounted to a vehicle
such as a trailer or vehicle with a cargo area to convey one or more personal
recreational vehicles
-8-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
such as a snowmobile, personal watercraft, ATV, and like vehicles, and to
provide an easy
loading/unloading of personal recreational vehicles.
[0033] Vehicle rack 100 may include an outer frame 102 and one or more
inner frames 108.
[0034] Outer frame 102 may be mounted to a trailer or motor vehicle to
load/unload and
convey one or more personal recreational vehicles. Outer frame 102 may further
include at least
two longitudinal outer frame parallel members 104. Longitudinal outer frame
parallel members
104 may be permanently affixed to a vehicle or trailer or selectively affixed
to a vehicle or trailer
such that longitudinal outer frame parallel members 104 may be attached to or
removed from a
vehicle with a tool and a hardware. In one embodiment, longitudinal outer
frame parallel members
104 of outer frame 102 may be the only portion of vehicle rack 100 attached to
a vehicle. Outer
frame 102 may also include at least one outer frame cross member 106 which
interconnects and
may be operatively connected to each longitudinal outer frame parallel member
104. One or more
points of outer frame cross member 106 may be operatively connected to one or
more inner frames
108.
[0035] Inner frame 108 may be operable to retain and convey a personal
recreational vehicle.
In one embodiment, vehicle rack 100 conveys one personal vehicle on inner
frame 108. In another
embodiment, vehicle rack 100 conveys two personal vehicles on two inner frames
108. Each inner
frame 108 includes two longitudinal inner frame parallel members 110
operatively connected to
one or more inner frame cross members 112. Inner frame 108 may connect
directly to outer frame
cross member 106 or inner frame 108 may connect to outer frame cross member
via one or more
inner frame standoffs 114. Inner frame 108 may operatively connect to
telescoping members 116.
[0036] Telescoping members 116 may operatively connect to inner frame 108.
In one
embodiment a telescoping member 116 may be adjacent to longitudinal inner
frame parallel
-9-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
member 110 and secured by one or more telescoping member guides 118
operatively connected
to longitudinal inner frame parallel members 110. In another embodiment,
telescoping members
116 fit within all or portions of longitudinal inner frame parallel member 110
and extend therefrom.
A distal end portion 116a of telescoping members 116 may extend away from
inner frame 108 to
facilitate in a loading/unloading of a personal recreational vehicle. A
proximal end portion 116b
of telescoping members 116 may remain in contact with inner frame 108 and
connect to one or
more telescoping member guides 118 to form a secure connection between
telescoping members
116 and inner frame 108. An adjustable dolly 120 may interconnect distal ends
116a of telescoping
members 116. In some embodiments, adjustable dolly 120 may support telescoping
members 116
when loading and unloading a personal recreational vehicle by providing one or
more support
wheels to contact the ground, as shown. In some embodiments, the adjustable
dolly 120 may be
configured with one or more legs, or a combination of one or more legs and one
or more wheels
(not shown). In some embodiments, the adjustable dolly 120 may be adjustable
between a support-
up position (e.g., wheels up) and a support-down position (e.g., wheels down)
via any suitable
mechanisms, such as a hinge, a selective mount, or a combination thereof. The
support-up position
refers to the one or more wheels and/or legs of the adjustable dolly 120 being
in a stowed position
and oriented away from the ground. The support-down position refers to the one
or more wheels
and/or legs of the adjustably dolly 120 being in a deployed position and
oriented toward the
ground.
[0037]
One or more telescoping members guides 118 disposed on each longitudinal inner
frame parallel member 110 secure telescoping members 116 adjacent to inner
frame 108 and secure
telescoping members 116 in both a retracted and extended position. In one
embodiment, at least
one distal telescoping member guide 118' (FIGS. 1C and 1D) for each
telescoping member 116
-1 0-
,
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
may swivel to adjust an angle 119 of telescoping member 116. Distal
telescoping member guide
118' may use detents or other mechanical restrictions to vary a swivel angle
119 in fixed intervals.
Distal telescoping member guide 118' may have a locking capability to fix a
swivel angle 119.
Varying the angle 119 of telescoping member 116 using distal telescoping
member guide 118'
may allow vehicle rack 100 to load and unload personal recreational vehicles
in a variety of
locations. For example, distal telescoping member guides 118' may swivel to
vary angles 119 of
telescoping members 116, and height and angle of distal end 116a of
telescoping members 116,
e.g., including dolly 120, may be adjusted to provide firm contact with a
ground or lake bottom at
the variety of locations so as to load and unload a personal recreation
vehicle.
[0038]
An angle of both inner frame 108 and telescoping members 116 may be also
adjusted
by varying a height of outer frame cross member 106 or height of inner frame
108 relative to outer
frame cross member 106 via one or more standoffs 114. Height of outer frame
cross member 106
may be varied by adjusting a height of vertical member 132. Vertical member
132 may fit within
socket 130 on longitudinal outer frame parallel member 104 and vertical member
132 may be
selectively secured within socket 130. In one embodiment, vertical member 132
may be an
adjustable component allowing a height of vertical member 132 to be varied. In
another
embodiment, vertical member 132 may be a fixed height modular component that
may be swapped
out for a vertical member 132 of a different height depending on need and
function of vehicle rack
100. In one embodiment, vertical member 132 may be selectively secured to
socket 130 by a
quick-connect hardware (not shown) such as a hitch pin, linchpin, cotter pin
and the like. In
another embodiment, height and angle of inner frame 108 and thus telescoping
members 116 may
be varied by varying a height between inner frame 108 and outer frame cross
member 106 via one
or more standoffs 114. In one embodiment, standoffs 114 may be substituted for
a standoff 114
-11-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
of a different height depending on need and function of vehicle rack 100. With
reference to FIG.
1B, in another embodiment, standoff 114 fits over a telescoping member of a
smaller width 115
and standoff 114 may be adjusted relative to telescoping member of smaller
width 115 to vary
height and angle of vehicle rack 100. In this embodiment, standoff 114 and
telescoping member
of smaller width 115 may have one or more apertures 117 therethrough. When a
desired height of
standoff 114 relative to telescoping member of smaller width 115 is achieved,
the apertures 117
through both standoff 114 and telescoping member of smaller width 115 may be
aligned and quick-
connect hardware 131 may be inserted through apertures 117 to lock height of
standoff 114 relative
to telescoping inner member of smaller width 115 into place, and thus lock
height of vehicle rack
100 in place. Thus, standoff 114 may be adjustable to vary a height between
inner frame 108 and
outer frame cross member 106 to vary a height and angle of inner frame 108 and
telescoping
members 116.
[0039]
Outer frame cross member 106 may fit within and pass through sleeve 105. In
one
embodiment, sleeve 105 can vary in length, such that placement of sleeve 105
between telescoping
inner members 115 can vary a width between each longitudinal inner frame
parallel member 110,
thus allowing for an adjustable width of inner frame 108. In this embodiment,
one sleeve 105 may
be substituted with another sleeve 105 of greater length to provide a wider
inner frame 108. In
another embodiment, cross member 106 may be discontinuous, such that cross
member 106
includes a left portion and a right portion secured together by sleeve 105. In
this embodiment,
sleeve 105 includes apertures 117 therethrough which correspond to apertures
117 on cross
member 106. In this embodiment, the complete width of vehicle rack 100 may be
varied by the
interconnection between different portions of cross member 106 and sleeve 105
using quick
-12-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
connect hardware 131 secured through apertures 117 in both cross member 106
and sleeve 105
such that vehicle rack 100 may be varied to fit on different vehicles.
[0040]
Inner frame 108 may also include tensioning device mount 122. Tensioning
device
mount 122 may be operable to mount a tensioning device 124 used for
loading/unloading a
personal recreational vehicle to and from inner frame 108 via telescoping
members 116. In one
embodiment, tensioning device 124 may be selectively removable from tensioning
device mount
122 to add and remove a tensioning device 124. Selectively removable
tensioning device 124 may
be added and removed to one or more tensioning device mounts 122 on inner
frames 108. In
another embodiment, tensioning device 124 may be permanently mounted to
tensioning device
mount 122 with each tensioning device mount 122 requiring a tensioning device
124. In one
embodiment, tensioning device 124 may be a manual device which requires
physical energy from
a user, for example by manually cranking a reel, to add tension to a cable,
rope, or chain attached
to a personal recreational vehicle to load/unload a personal recreational
vehicle. In another
embodiment, tensioning device 124 runs a motor from a power supply to provide
tension while
loading/unloading a personal recreational vehicle. A motor actuated tensioning
device 124 may
run from an external power supply such as a vehicle battery to power an
electric motor or use
another power source like a vehicles engine to actuate tensioning device 124
via a power take off
(PTO)/driveshaft, pneumatics, or hydraulics to provide tension. Tensioning
device 124 may be
remote actuated via a remote control. In one embodiment, using a remote
control to actuate
tensioning device 124 assists a user in loading/unloading a personal
recreational vehicle on/off of
telescoping members 116.
[0041]
Referring to FIG. 1E, a perspective view of vehicle rack 100 with two inner
frames
108 is illustrated. In addition to illustrating the various features described
above, FIG. 1E gives
-13-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
an overall view of various translational and rotational adjustment motions
provided by the features
described above and in further detail below.
[0042] For example, longitudinal inner frame parallel members 110 (and
portions 126 and
128) may be independently be adjusted laterally in direction 107 via
adjustments between outer
frame cross member 106 and sleeves 105, and inner frame cross member 112 and
pass through
sleeves 105', as follows.
100431 Outer frame cross member 106 may fit within and pass through sleeves
105. In one
embodiment, sleeves 105 can vary in length, such that placement of sleeves 105
between
telescoping inner members 115 can vary a width between each longitudinal inner
frame parallel
member 110, thus allowing for an adjustable width of inner frame 108. In this
embodiment, one
sleeve 105 may be substituted with another sleeve 105 of greater length to
provide a wider inner
frame 108. In another embodiment, cross member 106 may be discontinuous, such
that cross
member 106 includes two or more portions secured together by sleeves 105. In
this embodiment,
sleeves 105 may include features (e.g., apertures) 117 and corresponding
features (e.g., apertures
or detents) 117 on cross member 106. In this embodiment, the width of vehicle
rack 100 may be
varied by the interconnection between different portions of cross member 106
and sleeve 105 using
quick connect hardware 131 secured according to features 117 in both cross
member 106 and
sleeve 105 such that vehicle rack 100 may be varied to fit on different
vehicles. In one
embodiment, sleeves 105 may fit over cross member 106 and may be adjusted
laterally in direction
107 along cross member 106. For example, referring to FIGS. lA and 1B, sleeves
105 may being
fixed in defined positions using quick connect hardware 131 secured through
apertures 117 in both
cross member 106 and sleeve 105.
-14-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
[0044]
Likewise, longitudinal inner frame parallel members 110 (and portions 126 and
128)
may be correspondingly adjusted laterally in direction 107 along inner frame
cross member 112.
Inner frame cross member 112 may fit within and pass through sleeve 105'. In
one embodiment,
sleeve 105' can vary in length, such that placement of sleeve 105' between
telescoping inner
members 115 can vary a width between each longitudinal inner frame parallel
member 110, thus
allowing for the adjustable width of inner frame 108. In this embodiment, one
sleeve 105' may be
substituted with another sleeve 105' of greater length to provide a wider
inner frame 108. In
another embodiment, inner frame cross member 112 may be discontinuous, such
that inner frame
cross member 112 includes one or more portions secured together by sleeves
105'. In this
embodiment, sleeve 105' includes features (e.g., apertures) 117 that may
correspond to features
(e.g., apertures or detents) 117 on inner frame cross member 112. In this
embodiment, the
complete width of vehicle rack 100 may be varied by the interconnection
between different
portions of inner frame cross member 112 and sleeve 105' using quick connect
hardware 131
secured at features 117 such that vehicle rack 100 may be varied to fit on
different vehicles. In
one embodiment, sleeves 105' may fit over cross member 112 and may be adjusted
laterally in
direction 107 along cross member 112. Further, in some embodiments, where
inner frame cross
member 112 includes one or more portions secured together by sleeves 105', the
one or more
portions of cross member 112 may be rotated, e.g., in rotational direction 113
to adjust the position
of tensioning device mount 122. In some embodiments, tensioning device mount
122 may be
adjustable in length along direction 123, for example, according to an
internal telescoping
mechanism (not shown). In various embodiments herein, quick connect hardware,
such as 131,
may be alternatively configured as a set screw, a spring loaded button, and
the like. For example,
in a set screw configuration, quick connect hardware such as 131 may be
secured against another
-15-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
member such as cross member 112, either via a feature such as 117, which may
be configured as
an aperture or detent in cross member 112, or in the absence of a feature such
as 117.
[0045] In another embodiment, an upper portion of inner frame 108 may
translate
longitudinally along direction 127 as follows. Portion 126 of inner frame 108
may have a first
width/diameter which may allow portion 126 to telescope within portion 128
having a second
width/diameter larger than first width/diameter of portion 126. Portion 126
may be secured within
portion 128 by quick connect hardware, a set screw, a spring loaded button,
and the like (not
shown). This general telescoping mechanism between portion 126 and portion 128
is exemplary
of telescoping mechanisms that may be implemented elsewhere in vehicle rack
100 but, for reasons
of clarity of drawing, are not shown in each instance of the drawing where
such telescoping
mechanisms may be implemented in various embodiments.
[0046] In various embodiments, the inner frame 108 may be coupled to the
outer frame 102 at
various points by standoffs 114 coupled to sleeves 105/105'. The standoff
distance provided by
standoffs 114 may be varied, for example, by replacing standoffs 114 of one
length with those of
another length.
[0047] FIG. 1F shows a perspective view and FIG. 1G a side view, each of
outer frame 102,
without inner frames 108, in order to further illustrate aspects of outer
frame 102 and components
thereof mentioned in FIG. 1E. In addition, FIGS. 1F and 1G show aspects of
vertical member
132, which may have an angled portion 132' that extends from lower socket 130
to upper socket
130'. FIG. 1H shows an expanded view of the section indicated by the dotted
oval in FIG. 1G.
[0048] FIG. 1F illustrates outer frame cross member 106 as an assembly of
telescoping pieces
106a, 106b, and 106c. For example, side telescoping members 106a and 106c may
be of the same
diameter and may fit within center telescoping member 106b. effective to
permit outer frame cross
- 1 6-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
member 106 (as an assembly of telescoping pieces 106a, 106b, and 106c) to be
lengthened or
shortened along direction 107, e.g., to accommodate mounting within vehicles
of different bed
sizes. Assembly of telescoping pieces 106a, 106b, and 106c may be fixed at a
particular length
by fixing outer frame 102 to a particular vehicle such that side telescoping
members 106a and
106c may be constrained at their attachment to outer frame parallel member
104, each of which in
turn may be fixed to the vehicle. Alternatively, or in addition, side
telescoping members 106a and
106c may be fixed in position by quick connect hardware (not shown, but
corresponding to the
quick connect hardware 131 and features 117described herein for various
connections). More
generally, it is explicitly contemplated that any tubular member described
herein may be
configured as a telescoping assembly of two or more nesting members, which may
be may be fixed
in position by quick connect hardware described herein. For example, in
various embodiments,
tubular members herein that may be configured as a telescoping assembly
include, e.g., 104, 106,
110, 112, 114, 116, 122, 130, 130', 132, 132', and the like
[0049] In some embodiments, vertical member 132 may be raised or lowered
with respect to
its insertion in lower socket 130 and upper socket 130' to vary a height of
outer frame cross
member 106 (e.g., as assembly of telescoping pieces 106a, 106b, and 106c)
along direction 129.
In several embodiments, the height of outer frame cross member 106 (e.g., as
assembly of
telescoping pieces 106a, 106b, and 106c) along direction 129 may be varied by
using vertical
member 132 of varied lengths.
[0050] Lower socket 130 may be coupled to outer frame parallel member 104.
Upper socket
130 may be coupled to sleeve 105". Sleeve 105" may, like sleeves 105/105',
interact with cross
member 106 to be rotated along rotational direction 113, to provide
translation along direction 107
to allow the length of cross member 106 to be lengthened or shortened, and the
like. Vertical
-17-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
member 132 may be configured with parallel lower and upper socket portions
(not visible) coupled
to respective ends of angled portion 132'. The parallel lower and upper socket
portions of vertical
member 132 may seat into, and may rotate within, lower socket 130 and upper
socket 130'.
[0051] In various embodiments, by rotation of parallel lower and upper
socket portions of
vertical member 132 in lower socket 130 and upper socket 130', the angled
portion 132' may
provide motion of cross member 106 in two dimensions. For example, each angled
portion 132'
may be rotated 133' to move cross member 106 along direction 133, e.g., front
to back with respect
to a vehicle that vehicle rack 100 may be mounted in.
[0052] Further, the angled portion 132' may be rotated to translate,
shorten, or lengthen cross
member 106 along direction 107. For example, rotation of each angled portion
132' towards each
other to the center would provide for shortening cross member 106 (e.g., as
assembly of
telescoping pieces 106a, 106b, and 106c) along direction 107. In another
example, rotation of
each angled portion 132' away from each other may provide for lengthening
cross member 106
(e.g., as assembly of telescoping pieces 106a, 106b, and 106c) along direction
107. In another
example, rotation of each angled portion 132' to one side or the other may
provide for offset motion
of cross member 106 (e.g., as assembly of telescoping pieces 106a, 106b, and
106c) along direction
107, or alternately lengthening and shortening cross member 106 (e.g., as
assembly of telescoping
pieces 106a, 106b, and 106c) along direction 107. In a further example,
rotation of each angled
portion 132' may be accommodated by translation of sleeves 105/105" along
direction 107 of
cross member 106. In some embodiments, rotation of each angled portion 132'
may be
accommodated by replacement of sleeves 105/105" or cross member 106 with
corresponding
longer or shorter versions of sleeves 105/105" or cross member 106, thereby
adjusting the effective
length or translation of cross member 106 along direction 107. Further,
adjusting the length or
-18-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
translation of sleeves 105/105" or cross member 106 along direction 107 may
provide for
adjustment of each inner frame 108 along direction 107.
10053] In various embodiments herein, quick connect hardware, such as 131,
may be
configured as a through pin with cotter pin, e.g., as in FIG. 1H, or
alternatively configured as other
quick connect hardware known to the art, such as a set screw, a spring loaded
button, and the like.
For example, quick connect hardware such as 131 may be secured through a
feature 117, e.g.,
configured as a hole, in a larger diameter member such lower socket 130 to a
smaller diameter
member, such as the corresponding portion of vertical member 132 held within
the larger diameter
member such lower socket 130. In embodiments where quick connect hardware,
such as 131 may
be configured as a through pin, etc, the smaller diameter member, such as the
corresponding
portion of vertical member 132 may also have holes 117 to correspond to holes
117 in the larger
diameter member such lower socket 130. In some embodiments, quick connect
hardware, such as
131 may be configured as a set screw, spring loaded button, etc, and the
smaller diameter member,
such as the corresponding portion of vertical member 132 may also have
features 117 configured
as holes, or as detents. Further, for example, quick connect hardware, such as
131 may be
configured as a set screw and the smaller diameter member, such as the
corresponding portion of
vertical member 132 may be devoid of features 117.
[0054] FIG. 1H shows in greater detail exemplary use of quick connect
hardware 131 and
corresponding features 117 that may be employed to position vertical member
132 in at various
heights along direction 129, various rotational positions about 133', and
various corresponding
translations along 133 and 107 provided by rotation about 133'.
[0055] Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 1E, 1F, and 1G, and further described
herein above,
in various embodiments of vehicle rack 100, outer frame cross member 106
(e.g., as assembly of
-19-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
telescoping pieces 106a, 106b, and 106c) may be adjustable in three
dimensional space relative to
the two longitudinal outer frame parallel members 104 to vary at least one of
a length along
direction 107, a height along direction 129, and a depth along direction 133
of the at least one outer
frame cross member 106 relative to the two longitudinal outer frame parallel
members 104.
[0056]
Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of vehicle rack 100 mounted to vehicle
234 is
illustrated. In one embodiment, vehicle rack 100 may be attached over a bed
238 of a pickup truck
234. In this embodiment, vehicle rack 100 allows a personal recreational
vehicle to be stored on
an angle over both bed 238 and cab 239 of pickup truck 234. Storing a personal
recreational
vehicle at an angle on longitudinal inner frame parallel members 110 of inner
frame 108 may
prevent overhang of personal recreational vehicle past tailgate 240 such that
a trailer may be towed
behind pickup truck 234 while conveying personal recreational vehicle on
vehicle rack 100.
Vehicle rack 100 may be permanently mounted to pickup truck 234, for example,
by permanently
affixing longitudinal outer frame parallel members 104 to side rails 236 of
pickup truck 234. Other
components of vehicle rack 100 may be removed relative to longitudinal outer
frame parallel
members 104. For example, vertical member 132 may be removed from socket 130
to remove
one outer frame cross member 106 from being operatively connected to
longitudinal outer frame
parallel members 104. Longitudinal inner frame parallel members 110 of inner
frame 108 may be
operatively disconnected from outer frame cross member by removing one or more
standoffs 114
from outer frame cross member 106. A bolted connection 109, as illustrated in
FIG. 1A, of one
outer frame cross member 106 may be removed to detach one outer frame cross
member 106 from
longitudinal outer frame parallel members 104. Tailgate 240 and bed 238 may
still be used while
vehicle rack 100 may be in place and in use on vehicle 234.
-20-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
[0057]
Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of vehicle rack 100 with two inner
frames 108
is illustrated, while FIG. 3A illustrates portions of vehicle rack 100 in
greater detail. Vehicle rack
100 may be adjusted and modular components may be added to vehicle rack 100
based on a user's
desired configuration. Vehicle rack may be configured in any way to convey one
or more personal
recreational vehicles, so long as vehicle height, width, and gross weight
conform to local driving
rules. In one embodiment, vehicle rack 100 may be adjusted to conform to
vehicle dimensions of
a local jurisdiction. With reference to FIG. 3, distal end 116a of telescoping
members 116 with
dolly 120 may be extended away from inner frames 108 with a proximate end 116b
of telescoping
members 116 secured to telescoping member guides 118 by a quick-connect
hardware 131.
Telescoping member guides 118 may have one or more apertures therethrough
which may align
with one or more apertures through proximal end 116b of telescoping members
116 to secure
telescoping members 116 to telescoping member guides 118. Quick-connect
hardware 131 may
be detached and proximal end 116b of telescoping members 116 may be retracted
back toward
tensioning device 124 to stow telescoping members 116 and dolly 120. One or
more apertures
117 in distal end 116a of telescoping members 116 may be aligned with
apertures 117 of
telescoping member guides 118 and a quick-connect hardware 131 may be inserted
therethrough
to secure telescoping members 116 and dolly 120 in a stowed position relative
to inner frames 108.
In one embodiment, inner frames 108 may be equally spaced such that
telescoping members 116
may be stowed on one telescoping member guide 118 from separate inner frames
108 such that
telescoping members 116 and dolly 120 may be stored between each inner frame
108. In this
embodiment, telescoping members 116 and dolly 120 may be stored between inner
frames 108 to
better distribute weight.
-21-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
[0058] Height and angle of dolly 120 may be adjusted relative to distal end
of telescoping
members 116. In one embodiment, telescoping member guides 118 vary angles of
telescoping
members 116, and height and angle of dolly 120 may be adjusted to provide firm
contact with a
ground or lake bottom so as to load and unload a personal recreation vehicle.
In this embodiment,
vehicle 234 loads and unloads a personal recreation vehicle directly from
shore in lieu of using a
boat launch or similar method. In one embodiment, dolly cross member 321
provides adjustability
of dolly 120 such that width of dolly can be varied to accommodate width
variations of inner frame
108. Width adjustability of dolly 120 may be accomplished by aforementioned
adjustability
techniques such as telescoping members, apertures, and quick connect hardware.
[0059] Various portions of vehicle rack 100 may telescope within another to
provide
adjustability and other functionality. For example, portion 126 of inner frame
108 may have a first
width/diameter which may allow portion 126 to telescope within portion 128
having a second
width/diameter larger than first width/diameter of portion 126. Portion 128
having a larger second
width/diameter may be of a different material and used to cover portion 126.
In one embodiment,
portion 128 may be of a soft material such as a polymeric material and cover
all or portion of
portion 126 which may be of a metal material. Portion 128 may be used to
protect personal
recreational vehicle from scratching. Portion 128 may be easily replaced by
sliding portion 128
of a larger, second width/diameter over portion 126 with a smaller first
width/diameter. In one
embodiment, portion 126 may be cylindrical tubular aluminum. In another
embodiment, portions
128 and 126 may be square tubing.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of vehicle 234 with vehicle
rack 100 carrying
one or more personal recreational vehicles 442 is illustrated. Personal
recreational vehicle 442
may be stored on longitudinal inner frame parallel members 110 of inner frame
108 to be
-22-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
transported, or personal recreational vehicle 442 may be unloaded from
longitudinal inner frame
parallel members 110 onto telescoping members 116 and supported by adjustable
dolly 120 for
launch into an environment such as a lake. Personal recreational vehicle 442
may be secured to
longitudinal inner frame parallel members by an attachment hardware (not
shown) such as an
attachment strap or be secured to longitudinal inner frame parallel members
110 by a weight of
personal recreational vehicle 442 and gravity.
[0061] Referring now to FIG. 5, a side view of vehicle rack 100 and
tensioning device 124
with its interconnection to personal recreational vehicle 442 is illustrated.
Tensioning device 124,
such as an electric winch, may tension or slacken one of a cable, rope, and
chain 544 to load and
unload personal recreational vehicle 442 to and from longitudinal inner frame
parallel members
110 of inner frame 108. Cable, rope, chain 544 may have an attachment hardware
546 connected
thereto for a quick connection to an attachment point 548 on personal
recreational vehicle 442. In
one embodiment, attachment hardware 546 may be a carabiner or like hardware
for attaching to a
tow-loop attachment point 548 on personal recreational vehicle 442.
[0062] Referring now to FIG. 6, a perspective view of vehicle rack 100
attached to vehicle
234 is provided. In one embodiment, vehicle rack 100 may be used to load,
unload and transport
a personal recreational vehicle 442 such as an ATV. In one embodiment,
telescoping members
116 and longitudinal inner frame parallel members 110 interface with a
geometry of personal
recreational vehicle 442, such as a personal watercraft hull, to allow for
direct loading and
unloading to and from longitudinal inner frame parallel members 110 of inner
frame 108. In
another embodiment, personal recreational vehicles 442 may be attached to
platform 650 to be
conveyed over telescoping members 116 and onto longitudinal inner frame
parallel members 110
of inner frame 108 for storage and transport thereon. Platform 650 may have
one or more
-23-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
,
attachment points (not shown) or attachment hardware thereon (not shown) for
fixedly securing
personal recreational vehicle 442 to platform 650. Platform 650 may utilize
platform wheels 652
for ease of loading and unloading platform 650 to and from telescoping members
116. Platform
650 may have an attachment point (not shown) for attaching a rope, chain, or
cable for use with
tensioning device 124.
[0063]
FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method 700 for using vehicle rack 100 to load a
personal
recreational vehicle 442. In one embodiment, method 700 may include removing
one or more
quick-connect hardware from a distal end of each of two or more telescoping
member guides to
free two retracted telescoping members connected to at least one inner frame
(710). Method 700
may include extending two telescoping members from the at least one inner
frame (720). Method
700 may include securing a proximate end of the extended telescoping member to
at least one
telescoping member guide with the one or more quick-connect hardware (730).
Method 700 may
include securing at least one of a rope, chain, and cable to a personal
recreational vehicle (740).
Method 700 may include applying a tension with a tensioning device to the at
least one of a rope,
chain, and cable, such that the tension draws the personal recreational
vehicle onto the two
extended telescoping members and further onto the at least one inner frame
(750). Method 700
may include removing the one or more quick-connect hardware from each of the
at least one
telescoping member guide to free the proximate end of each of the two extended
telescoping
members (760). Method 700 may include retracting the proximate end of each of
the two extended
telescoping members back toward the at least one inner frame (770). Method 700
may include re-
securing the one or more quick-connect hardware to both of a distal end of
telescoping members
and telescoping member guides to secure telescoping members relative to the
inner frame (780).
-24-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
,
[0064] In another embodiment, the vehicle rack 100 disclosed herein may be
configured as a
rack and davit system. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a rack and davit system
800 mounted to
the vehicle 234. In the illustrated embodiment, the rack and davit system 800
includes the vehicle
rack 100 and a davit 802 removably coupled to the vehicle rack 100. The
vehicle rack 100 may
be configured to have functions set forth above and/or may be configured to
function as a general
vehicle rack for carrying items, such as a ladder, lumber, tools, etc..
100651 FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the davit 802. In the illustrated
embodiment, the davit
802 includes a first arm 804, a second arm 806, a first pulley 808, a second
pulley 810, and a winch
812 having a winch line or winch wire 814. The winch line 814 may have a hook
or a loop 816 at
a terminal end 818. The winch line 814 may extend or may be routed from the
winch 812 to the
first pulley 808 and to the second pulley 810. The winch 812 may be configured
to control and
adjust the length of the winch line 814 (e.g., the length from the winch 812
to the terminal end
818). In some embodiments, the winch line 814 may be a winch line of a truck
winch (e.g., a
winch mounted to a truck's bumper for general purposes). For example, if the
pickup truck 234 is
configured with a general bumper-mounted winch, the winch line may be routed
from the bumper
winch to the davit 802.
[0066] With reference to FIG. 10, the first arm 804 may include an upstand
pipe 820, a swivel
rotation pipe 822, and a connecting pipe 824. The upstand pipe 820 may be
configured to
removably couple to a receiving socket of the vehicle rack 100. For example,
the upstand pipe
820 may fit in the socket 130 on any of the longitudinal outer frame parallel
members 104. The
swivel rotation pipe 822 may be configured to rotatably and removably couple
to the upstand pipe
820. For example, the swivel rotation pipe 822 may be a hollow pipe such that
the upstand pipe
820 fits within the swivel rotation pipe 822 when the swivel rotation pipe 822
is coupled to the
-25-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
upstand pipe 822. The swivel rotation pipe 822 may rotate in rotational
directions 826 (e.g., at any
rotational angles from 0 degree to 360 degrees). The connecting pipe 824 may
be configured to
non-rotatably couple to the swivel rotation pipe 822. For example, the
connecting pipe 824 may
be a hollow pipe such that the swivel rotation pipe 822 fits within the
connecting pipe 824 when
the connecting pipe 824 is coupled to the swivel rotation pipe 822. A pin or a
screw 828 may
insert through the overlapping portions of the connecting pipe 824 and the
swivel rotation pipe
822 to substantially limit the motion or rotation of the connecting pipe 824
relative to the swivel
rotation pipe 822. The connecting pipe 824 and the swivel rotation pipe 822
may move and
rotation together when the pin or screw 828 is secured. The swivel rotation
pipe 822 may be
rotated in the rotational directions 826 to adjust the orientation of the
davit 802 relative to the
vehicle rack 100.
[0067]
With reference to FIG. 11, the second arm 806 may pivotally couple to the
first arm
804 via a pivot assembly 830. The pivot assembly 830 may include any suitable
mechanisms to
enable pivotal coupling between the first arm 804 and the second arm 806. In
the illustrated
embodiment, the first pulley 808 may be coupled to the pivot assembly 830. The
pivot assembly
830 may include one or more linkages 832 and one or more extendable linkages
834. The one or
more linkages 832 may be configured to rotatably couple to the first arm 804
and rotatably couple
to the second arm 806. The one or more extendable linkages 834 may be
configured to rotatably
couple to the second arm 806 and rotatably couple to the one or more linkages
832. The one or
more extendable linkages 834 may be characterized by a length 836, which may
be adjustable
(e.g., longer or shorter). The one or more extendable linkages 834 may include
sliding components
838 that may be slidable relative to one another and the sliding motion may be
enabled via a screw
mechanism 840 disposed on the one or more extendable linkages 834. For
example, the screw
-26-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
mechanism 840 may be loosen to allow the sliding components 838 to slide
relative to one another
to elongate or shorten the length 836. The length 836 may be adjusted to a
desired value, and the
screw mechanism 840 may be tightened to secure the sliding components 838
relative to one
another such that the length 836 maintains the desired value.
[0068] In some embodiments, an angle 842 between the first arm 804 and the
second arm 806
may be adjusted by adjusting the length 836 of the one or more extendable
linkage 834. For
example, the screw mechanism 840 may be loosened to enable sliding of the
sliding components
838 of the one or more extendable linkages 834. When the sliding components
838 are slided-in,
the length 836 of the one or more extendable linkages 834 decreases, leading
to a smaller angle
842. When the sliding components 838 are slided-out, the length 836 of the one
or more
extendable linkages 834 increases, leading to a larger angle 842.
Subsequently, the screw
mechanism 840 may be tightened to secure the sliding components 838 relative
to one another
such that the length 836 maintains the desired value and the angle 842
maintains the desired value.
[0069] In some embodiments, the length 836 of the one or more extendable
linkages 834
remains unchanged, and the angle 842 between the first arm 804 and the second
arm 806 may be
adjusted by pivoting both the second arm 806 and the one or more linkages 832
relative to the first
arm 804. For example, the angle 842 increases when the second arm 806 and the
one or more
linkages 832 pivot in a first pivot direction 831, and the angle 842 decreases
when the second arm
806 and the one or more linkages 832 pivot in a second pivot direction 833.
The one or more
linkages 832 may include any suitable retention or resistant mechanisms, such
as screw(s),
spring(s), pins(s), to enable the angle 842 being adjusted and maintain the
desired value.
[0070] As may be appreciated, the height of the davit 802 (e.g., the
vertical distance from the
second pulley 810 to the receiving socket 130 of the vehicle rack 100) and the
angle 842 may be
-27-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
adjustable by adjusting the length 836 of the one or more extendable linkages
834. The height of
the davit 802 and the angle 842 may also be adjustable by pivoting of both the
second arm 806 and
the one or more linkages 832 relative to the first arm 804. As used herein,
pivoting of the second
arm 806 and the one or more linkages 832 may be referred as a first height
adjustment mechanism
and the adjustment of the length 836 of the one or more extendable linkages
834 may be referred
to as a second height adjustment mechanism. In some embodiments, the first
height adjustment
mechanism may be configured to adjust the height of the davit 802 to a greater
extent than the
second height adjustment mechanism. In some embodiments, the second height
adjustment
mechanism may be configured to adjust the height of the davit 802 to a greater
extent than the first
height adjustment mechanism.
[0071] With reference to FIG. 12, the second arm 806 includes the second
pulley 810 at a
terminal end 850 of the second arm 806. The second arm 806 may be extendable
(e.g., the length
of the second arm 806 may be adjustable). In the illustrated embodiment, the
second arm 806
includes a first portion 852 and a second portion 854, configured to be
slideable with respect to
one another. In one embodiment, the second portion 854 may overlap and fit
within a portion 855
of the first portion 852. In another embodiment, the second portion 854 may
overlap and surround
a portion 855 the first portion 852. The second portion 854 may be adjustably
coupled to the first
portion 852 via an adjustable detent mechanism 856 (e.g., selective adjustable
pins) such that the
second portion 854 may slide-out in a first direction 857 relative to the
first portion 852 to elongate
the length of the second arm 806 or slide-in in a second direction 859
relative to the first portion
852 to shorten the length of the second arm 806.
[0072] With reference to FIG. 13, the winch 812 and the tensioning device
124 shown in FIG.
may be the same device. In the illustrated embodiment, the winch 812 may be
coupled to the
-28-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
swivel rotation pipe 822. The winch 812 and the swivel rotation pipe 822 may
be removed from
the vehicle rack 100 and subsequently coupled to the davit 802 by rotatably
and removably
coupling the swivel rotation pipe 822 to the upstand pipe 820 of the davit 802
as shown in FIG.
10. Subsequently, the winch line 814 may be pulled to route from the winch 812
to the first pulley
808 and to the second pulley 810. To install the winch 812 back to the vehicle
rack 100, the winch
line 814 may be rewound, the swivel rotation pipe 822 may be removed from the
upstand pipe
820, and the swivel rotation pipe 822 and the winch 812 coupled thereto may be
inserted back into
the receiving socket (e.g., socket 130) of the vehicle rack 100.
[0073] The winch 812 may run from a power source that may be the same power
source for
the tensioning device 124. The power source for the winch 812 may be any or a
combination of a
variety of sources, including manual operation, dedicated power source such as
an external or
portable battery or small engine, hand tool such as a battery operated drill,
the truck's battery, a
power takeoff (PTO) from the truck's motor, and an external power source such
as solar power,
site generator, grid electricity, etc.
[0074] In some embodiments, the rack and davit system 800 may include a
moving dolly that
is configured to convey a personal vehicle when the personal vehicle is not
loaded to the vehicle
rack 100. The moving dolly may include a frame configured to support the
personal vehicle and
the moving dolly may include one or more swivel wheels, one or more non-swivel
wheels, or both,
coupled to the frame. The personal vehicle may be the personal recreational
vehicle 422 and may
be a personal watercraft. A moving dolly may carry and support the personal
vehicle and may
carry the personal vehicle to and from the rack and davit system 800. For
example, the personal
vehicle may be carried by the moving dolly to close proximity to the vehicle
rack 100 such that
the personal vehicle may be loaded to the vehicle rack 100. The moving dolly
may be moved to
-29-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
i
close proximity to the vehicle rack 100 such that the personal vehicle may be
unload from the
vehicle rack 100 to the moving dolly.
[0075] FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 show a perspective view and a top view of an
example of a moving
dolly 900, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the moving dolly 900
may include a frame
902 and wheels 904 coupled to the frame 902. The wheels 904 may include one or
more non-
swivel wheels 906, one or more swivel wheels 908, or both. The frame 902 may
include an upper
frame 910 and a lower frame 912. The lower frame 912 may have a shape that
conform to the
bottom of the personal recreational vehicle 422. For example, the bottom of
the personal
recreational vehicle 422 may have a V-shape and the lower frame 912 may also
have a V-shape.
The upper frame 910 include longitudinal pipes 914 removably coupled to the
lower frame 912.
The longitudinal pipes 914 may extend along the longitudinal direction 916 of
the lower frame
912 and/or of the personal recreational vehicle 422. The longitudinal pipes
914 may have
extending portions or pipes 918 configured to be inserted into corresponding
sockets 920 of the
lower frame 912 (e.g., pipe in pipe). A locking mechanism 922, such as pins,
may be inserted
through the extending portions or pipes 918 and the corresponding sockets 920
to secure the upper
frame 910 to the lower frame 912. A locking mechanism 922, such as pins, may
be removed to
decouple the upper frame 910 and the lower frame 912. In some embodiments, the
upper frame
910 and the lower frame 912 may be one integral piece.
[0076] The frame 902 of the moving dolly 900 may be made of any suitable
materials to
support the personal vehicle (e.g., the personal recreational vehicle 422),
and the upper frame 910
and the lower frame 912 may be made of the same or different materials. In
some embodiments,
the upper frame 910, the lower frame 912, or both, may be made of aluminum or
aluminum based
alloys. In some embodiments, the upper frame 910 may be coated with polyvinyl
chloride (PVC).
-30-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
[0077] A method for using the rack and davit system 800 (e.g., the davit
802 and the vehicle
rack 100) may include mounting the davit to the outer frame (e.g., the
longitudinal outer frame
parallel members of the vehicle rack. The method may include inserting the
upstand pipe into a
receiving socket of the outer frame (e.g., the longitudinal outer frame
parallel members) of the
vehicle rack. The method may include removing the winch and the swivel
rotation pipe coupled
to the winch from the vehicle rack. The method may include coupling the winch
to the upstand
pipe by rotating the swivel rotation pipe onto the upstand pipe; coupling the
first arm of the davit
to the swivel rotation pipe; and routing the winch wire (e.g., winch line)
from the winch to the first
pulley and to the second pulley. The method may include rotating the davit
around an axial
direction of the first arm of the davit and adjusting a length of the second
arm of the davit.
Adjusting a height of the davit may include one or more of adjusting the first
height adjustment
mechanism of the pivot assembly and adjusting the second height adjustment
mechanism of the
pivot assembly. The method may include controlling the winch that may be a
powered winch via
a remote control. The method may include loading a personal vehicle from a
moving dolly to the
vehicle rack, wherein the moving dolly is configured to convey the personal
vehicle when the
personal vehicle is not loaded to the vehicle rack. The method may include
unloading the personal
vehicle from the vehicle rack to the moving dolly.
[0078] Unless specifically stated to the contrary, the numerical parameters
set forth in the
specification, including the attached claims, are approximations that may vary
depending on the
desired properties sought to be obtained according to the exemplary
embodiments. At the very
least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of
equivalents to the scope of
the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of
the number of reported
significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
-31-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
1
[0079] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting
forth the broad scope
of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the
specific examples are
reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently
contains certain errors
necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective
testing measurements.
[0080] Furthermore, while the systems, methods, and apparatuses have been
illustrated by
describing example embodiments, and while the example embodiments have been
described and
illustrated in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants
to restrict, or in any way
limit, the scope of the appended claims to such detail. It is, of course, not
possible to describe
every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of
describing the
systems, methods, and apparatuses. With the benefit of this application,
additional advantages and
modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the
invention, in its broader
aspects, is not limited to the specific details and illustrative example and
exemplary embodiments
shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details
without departing
from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept. Thus, this
application is intended to
embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope
of the appended
claims. The preceding description is not meant to limit the scope of the
invention. Rather, the
scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
-32-
CA 3039578 2019-04-08
